Ana Mendieta (1948-85) is celebrated in a retrospective at Tate Modern with a fascinating selection of works from this enigmatic and highly original conceptual artist who captured the essence of the female form and found intriguing ways to interact with nature.
Frida: The Making of an Icon opens at Tate Modern this week. Just say this artist’s name and her image appears in your mind’s eye – mono-brow, faint moustache, direct stare and distinctive clothing and floral headdress. And what a life story she gave us – pain, paint and dedication. A natural icon in the making. What we see in this show is an extension of that reputation when interpreted by other artists.
In a career lasting just ten years, Marilyn Monroe became one of the world’s most photographed women and her image is just as recognisable and revered today. She died in 1962 and would have been 100 this week. The National Portrait Gallery has staged a magnificent centenary exhibition celebrating her life in pictures.
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain – what a treat! So great to see so many works – portraits, self-portraits, narrative paintings, landscapes and the mesmerising ‘Nocturnes’ depicting stretches of water at dusk.
We don’t get to see much contemporary art from the Asia Pacific region so it’s great that the V&A has devoted a gallery space to a show called Rising Voices: Contemporary art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific – a broad scoop of the planet featuring works from Indigenous peoples from remote islands to huge, densely populated countries.
What a glorious surprise to be introduced to the world of Zubarán at the National Gallery. A huge monograph of his work is on show at the Sainsbury Wing and it’s a real treat. His ability to capture sculptural figures in paint against dark blackground is breathtaking.
It was so exciting to finally visit the brand new V&A East Museum. This dynamic building now grace sthe East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Park next to UAL, the BBC and Sadlers Wells. And inside is a treasure trove of objects and space for fascinating exhibitions.
The magnificent Elsa Schiaparelli is having a well-deserved moment at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Working from the 1920s -50s, she was really an artist who found her way into clothes designing – and what a legacy that produced. This show, Fashion becomes Art is a fitting tribute to her astounding contribution to 20th century fashion.
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